If you were in line at the grocery store, and the older man behind you in line offered to buy your son a candy bar?
Here's what happened. My son was having hysterics over being so rudely strapped into the cart seat after losing walking privelages when we pulled into the checkout line. I was doing my best to console him (by looking completely in the other direction as if he didn't belong to me, and where is this screaming kids mother?) when an older man walked into line behind us. He didn't have anything in his hands.
He immediately started making donald duck voices to stop Jack from crying. It worked, although, I'm not so sure Jack was impressed as far as a bit weirded out. The man was friendly enough, and chatted with me (small talk) for a few minutes. He saw Jack eyeing the candy and reached over and grabbed a snicker's before asking if he could buy him a candy bar. As far as I could tell, this would be his only purchase. I like to give people the benefit of the doubt, but I was still a bit weirded out so I politely declined saying he had a lot of sugar earlier etc. He looked disappointed then said, "but he stopped crying. . . you could give it to him later?"
This time I said something about "well, if you would like, yadayada thankyou"
When it was my turn he hurriedly grabbed another snicker's and jumped in front of me to buy the candy. One for him one for Jack-boy-spoiled-pants. We said "happy thanksgiving" and he left.
I'm not worried I did anything wrong, just curious what you would do in the same situation. Would you let him buy the candy? Would you be weirded out a bit? I think it's a little weird. Not that HE is weird, because he was very friendly, just it's sad you have to be weary about things like this.
I almost feel guilty that I was checking over my shoulder on the way to the cart, because clearly he didn't follow me out. But it seems like you have to now with all the stories you hear, right?
Well, in the end, it all turned out okay. Jack got a reward for being a stink, PLUS the package of chocolate chip cookie mix he snuck into the cart before he was banished from the isles and into the cart. A win-win all a round for him!
I don't think it's weird cuz I always want to buy your kids things too. They are just cute. And the cookie dough? Bet you just looked the other way on that one, c'mon admit it. You secretly wanted the cookie dough as much as Jack did, didn't you? hmmm?
ReplyDeleteSo not weird. I actually have had strangers buy my kids candy to stop their horrible tantrums many times. If fact I usually get annoyed if i'm in the checkout line and they are crying and no one steps up to bribe them with something. Its nice when people recognize how difficult it can be to be a mom and do whatever service they can to help. You just let that man buy himself a wonderful feeling for the rest of he day=)
ReplyDeleteOkay I am going to agree with you, My "wierd-dar" would be going off! It might be unfortunate that I feel like this, but it is also this insight that helps me keep my kids safe. Let me refer to the lady in the Sandy DI who let her daughter look at the toy aisle and POOF was gone. Its not extreme to think that there is a line that strangers cannot cross (and should know better), and if you felt threatened or weary than count that as a silent nudge that things might not be quite right. Sorry if this offends anyone but its just the times we live in. To answer your question; I would have probably taken the candy bar but only to not create a big uncomfortable scene, cause it seems that he should have backed down when you said "no" the first time. If he would have followed me, I would have gone Mother Bear style on him. :) Alesia
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